Great Barr

Leaving the meeting point at Sutton Coldfield, we follow Upper Clifton Road down the hill and turn right onto Park Road, continuing through the gates into Sutton Park. At Old Oscott Hill we turn right and follow this road past the schools and round the bend to a roundabout, where we turn right into Dyas Road....

Hugh Hudson

At a pelican crossing, we cross to Hamstead Road, which we cross then turn right down it, turning left into Hembs Crescent and going straight on into Johns Grove, where we enter the Sandwell Valley park and follow the cycle track left. The shortest way up to it uses a flight of steps, and we continue up the hill and past the war memorial to emerge on Reform Street, where we turn left, crossing the A41 bridge and going half right over a pelican crossing into Bull Street....

Hugh Hudson

Taking you through Sandwell Valley Country Park and easy to follow very enjoyable...

Nigel Cull

Found Path had a locked gates so no access along Handsworth Drive plus no underpass or footbridge over M6 motorway. Use Gresut two as this is a shorter route and approved Slow Way...

Nigel Cull

Wesgre 1 can be followed using common sense but the plotting is very vague - for instance taking a long diagonal crossing of Newton Road, a fast moving dual carriageway near the end point at Great Barr, crossing the river in Sandwell Country Park where there is no bridge. 3 stars because the pop mapping is outweighed by the very pleasant surroundings of the main section of the walk....

Dave4

See review of Wesgre 1 of which this seems to be a duplicate....

Dave4

This is a really pleasant walk and,, apart from a little pavement plodding at either end, is surprisingly rural for the majority of the route taking in municipal parkland and the Sandwell Valley Country Park. Much of the route follows The Beacon Way, footpaths are firm and well surfaced and take you alongside the River Tame past lakes and quite close to 2 urban farms and an RSPB centre. Both ends of the walk provide opportunities for food and drink and access to public transport links....

Dave4

Having left the main road, there is a short residential section which delivers you via kissing gate into Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve. Having crossed Park Lane, a fast but not very busy road you then go round Swan Pool in Sandwell Valley Country Park. From the edge of the park it's pavements and crossings all the way to the home straight of West Bromwich High Street....

David Sanderson

The tin hat had to be the final section which, rather than following the High Street to the Bus Station, deliberately puts you on a side of the road with initially no pavement, and then a pavement clearly designed to deter pedestrians....

David Sanderson

Route at West Bromwich end is on wrong side of the road...

David Sanderson

Good direct route though Sutton Park, easy to follow and suitable for all users....

Nigel Cull

The next section follows Chapel Lane, first as a residential street and then, having crossed Walsall Road via the pedestrian crossing, as a country lane. There is a short section of lane walking, but the traffic is calmed and I found local drivers to be considerate. There is a short section through woods and a road to cross....

David Sanderson

3 Bridle Lane, although direct, has no pavement and there is a less direct but much safer alternative via Barr Beacon...

David Sanderson

Having left the High Street via the footbridge across the main road you wander through the residential streets of north Smethwick which become increasingly industrial before, within sight of the West Brom Ground (the highest above sea level in England) you turn left to join the greenway that runs alongside the Metro (tram) line. (I have walked this path dozens of times and this was the first time it had flooded) The final section through suburban Great Barr avoids the main road for as long as possible....

David Sanderson

The first section of the walk follows the pavement of the A4031 Walsall Road, a dual carriageway so this is not the most pleasant section of the walk. It is just as you can see the M6 and M5 interchange loom in the distance that the peaceful straight aqueduct of the Tame Valley offers you escape. The walk from there is an unusual experience as the canal crosses the Tame Valley, the tiny river unnoticed below. Having crossed the valley, the canal passes a junction for the Rushall Canal and then under the M6....

David Sanderson

A superb Slow Way but one I thought could be improved by walking straight across Red House Park rather than looping round Pages Lane. I realise that it's not obvious from the map that an entrance to the park is there but it is. Please read my review for Walgre 3...

David Sanderson

Starting from Great Barr the route soon crosses the magnificent Red House Park and a path through woods leads to road which passes under the M6. The route is mainly by residential pavement as far as Delves Green....

David Sanderson

Canal can not be reached via road suggested by route (it passes under the aqueduct by some distance ) Use newer version of route which is corrected...

David Sanderson

There are crossing points for the main roads and plenty of local shops on route....

Mr Tippy

There were no bits of the walk I didn't enjoy and it was great walking through some parks (especially Handsworth Wood). It was nice ending next to the Scott Arms because a bus stop is right next to the meeting point. It was a great walk :). Would be happy to recommend to any walker in the area!...

Theobeyeroflife

Having passed Perry Barr railway station (currently closed for refurbishment) you come to One Stop Shopping Centre where there is a massive range of shops, access to a multitude of bus routes and a pub. You cross the Old Walsall Road and continue on into the park opposite, eventually crossing the river again and emerging opposite Hamstead Railway Station. Rather than continuing along and up the Old Walsall Road you continue along Hamstead Road before crossing and heading up a parallel road, Spouthouse Lane, which passes under Spouthouse Aqueduct. Beyond the wooded paths of the reserve are the residential pavements of Great Barr and an alleyway leads you out on to the Queslett Road opposite the meeting place. Direct, safe (crossings for all busy roads), well served (at Aston, Perry Barr and Hamstead), links to major arterial bus routes and three railway stations....

David Sanderson

There are regular opportunities to link up with buses and the it passes both Perry Barr and Hamstead railway stations (Perry Barr is currently closed for reconstruction). The Perry Barr area is currently (Aug 2021) being redeveloped in readiness for the Commonwealth Games in 2022....

Dave4

The route is really easy to follow and all the road crossings are via pedestrian crossings with the exception of the M6 which is by underpass. The only problem I had with the route was on Calshot Road where my GPX told me I was off the route when I clearly wasn't. In summary, it's direct, very safe, very easy to follow, very well served by food and transport services and beautiful in parts....

David Sanderson